Getting to Monaco avoiding France....

[batmanreturns]

I'm going to Monaco in September. Ideally i'd like to avoid France as much as possible on the way down there but still have some fast roads on the way. Does anyone have any suggestions on routes? I was thinking of Calais and then nipping over to Belgium but from there on in i'm undecided on the route. Is it likely to be loads longer than just blasting through France?

Thanks

[batmanreturns]

Couple of unpaid speeding tickets in the past hence keen to avoid France incase they pull me!

[batmanreturns]

Ha! Does anyone know how long i'd remain 'active' on the French database for unpaid speeding tickets? IT was coming upto 3 years ago now.

[batmanreturns]

Can't! We;ve got a villa for a week in the south of France and i need the M5 Touring to cart everything down there whilst the Mrs and nipper fly down. I'm collecting them from Nice airport! Good thinking though!

[batmanreturns]

Wow! Lots of different thoughts out there!
I think i need to expand. When the original fines came in (i got caught going and coming back in the dark so never saw them!) i ignored them. What i'm more worried about is being pulled on the way down because i'm in a British car and then landing either a hefty fine (i can handle that) or having my car confiscated as i'll have all the gear for the trip in it and need to meet the wife and baby at the other end the following day.
I'm assuming it will just be a case of paying up if i get pulled? Does anyone know any different OR know if/when previous fines go away.

And to those who ask why i don't just pay it i've got no reference number to put into the website and when you call up they are their usual French selves and don't have a record and don't like helping!

I'm just trying to find out if i get pulled i'll get the fine or end up in the clink for the night as we have a child on oxygen and i can't afford to not collect them from the airport as by then her oxygen will be getting low until we get to our accommodation.
thanks

[batmanreturns]

I was caught in a French hire car not a UK one.

I've got no plans to speed but having been to france many times they like to pull a brit and check documents etc even if you are not speeding. What i'm trying to establish is if they do this to me and i flag up on their database can i just pay it there and then or will be get a more severe punishment? Also, when does a speeding fine 'drop off' their system if anyone knows?